You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2018.
Storystorm 2019 registration is now closed.
You may still participate in the challenge by reading the daily posts and jotting down an idea a day, but you will not be eligible for prizes. However, participants typically say 30+ ideas is a prize in itself!
It’s that time of year again!
It’s time to STORYSTORM!
Prepare to be BLOWN AWAY!
Two years ago I changed the name and month of my annual writing challenge, from Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) to Storystorm. Why? Answer’s here.
Any writer interested in brainstorming new story ideas in January is invited to join the STORYSTORM challenge of 30 ideas in 31 days. Any genre, any style; student, amateur, hobbyist, aspiring author or professional.
How does STORYSTORM work? It’s simple…
- Register.
- Read daily posts.
- Write down story ideas.
That’s pretty much it.
At the end of January if you have at least 30 new ideas, you can sign the STORYSTORM PLEDGE and be eligible for PRIZES.
So are you ready? Follow these steps:
- Register ON THIS BLOG POST by signing your name ONCE in the comments below. Full name, nickname, whatever name you want.
- Teachers participating with a class can register under the teacher’s name.
Please leave ONE comment ONLY. Do not reply to say “hi” to a friend. Do not comment to fix a mistake. ONE COMMENT. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect.
- Registering makes you eligible for prizes.
- Visit this blog daily (taralazar.com) in January for inspirational essays by guest bloggers—professional authors, illustrators and experts in creativity.
- Instead of visiting the blog directly, you can receive the daily posts via email by clicking the “Follow Tara’s Blog” button in the left column—look under my photo for it.
This year there is a special theme…
…THE GHOST OF STORYSTORM PAST!
Really, the POST OF STORYSTORM PAST.
I’ll be alternating between new posts and the best posts from 10 years of STORYSTORM!
- After you have read the daily inspiration, jot down a daily story idea in a journal, computer file, anywhere you like to write. Some days you might have no ideas, but some days you might have five or more.
At the end of January, if you have at least 30 ideas, sign the STORYSTORM PLEDGE (to be posted on January 31) and qualify for prizes.
Prizes include professional consults, signed books, original art, writerly gadgets and gizmos.
Remember, do not share your ideas publicly in January. They are YOURS. No need to prove that you have them at the end of the month. The pledge you will sign is on the honor system.
Are you in? Awesome. Pick up your Official Participant badge below and affix it to any social media account you wish. (Right click to save to your computer, then upload it anywhere.)
This adorable badge was designed by Melissa Crowton, the illustrator of my next book, YOUR FIRST DAY OF CIRCUS SCHOOL, which is available for pre-order. (Shameless plug.)
The final piece? Join the STORYSTORM Facebook discussion group. You might need friends to pick you up!
The group is completely optional, but it remains a year-round source of writing information and support, mostly focused on picture books, I admit, because that is where this all began.
Registration will remain open through JANUARY 7TH.
What are you waiting for? Register and go celebrate! I’ll see you back here on New Year’s Day.
Yeah, I may receive a “cease and desist” letter from the Peanuts people any minute for using that image as my header, so let me get right to my first “write” gift…the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.
What kidlit writer doesn’t love Schultz’s merry misfit, his pilot puppy, and a girl named after candy?
You get the sensation, right?
Oh geez, those York folks may be after me now, too.
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree With Blanket Tree Skirt
Available from Vermont Country Store. (And you may be reminded of Christmases past when I say “some items sold separately” and “some assembly required”.)
Now, time for booties.
No, not baby booties. Book booties…
I’m not the most organized writer, but this looks like it can help. It features an area for notes plus numbered pockets for keeping mind memos and snippets—maybe to represent each chapter?
Industrial-Inspired 12-pocket Wall Memo Board
You’ve probably heard the writing advice “B.I.C.”: BUTT IN CHAIR. But your butt may hurt after sitting a while. This funky stool by ErgoErgo “encourages you to make small movements that help circulation, breathing, and keeping your mind more alert. And unlike a stability ball, ErgoErgo looks cool and won’t roll away.”
Adult Active Sitting Stool
A good game during the holidays brings family together…so you can show off your word superiority and crush them all in a pile of defeat!
Anagram, The Ingenious Game of Juggling Words
Available from The Literary Gift Company.
I know, we writers have high shelf esteem.
Perhaps the writer you know is seeking a little R&R (wRiting and Relaxation). What better place to get away than the Highlights Foundation? Your own private cabin, three scrumptious meals a day, hikes through the countryside, a poetry garden…it is a marvelous retreat. When Highlights isn’t hosting a workshop, anyone can visit and create their own private UNworkshop. Genius idea for genius ideas to flourish.
Highlights Unworkshop
Available from Highlights Foundation.
Now, lemme ask some writer friends what they recommend.
How’s about Katey Howes, author of the upcoming BE A MAKER?
“For the writer with published books to promote, these tabletop chalkboard signs are a godsend. They pack up easily for travel to book festivals, conferences, and anywhere else you find authors and illustrators tucked behind tables of books and swag. Add a pack of brightly colored chalk markers and even the most introverted writers can get shoppers’ attention and communicate prices and details—without having to make eye contact or speak above a whisper. Not published yet? Use these chalkboards to post a motivational message on your desk or a Do Not Disturb: Writer At Work sign for your children to completely ignore.”
Mini Chalkboards
Available from Factory Direct Craft.
“Also essential for the writer on the go—this folding dolly can haul boxes of books to school visits, fairs and festivals. The removable bag is great for storing the posters, promo items, snacks and cardigan sweaters essential for author events.”
The Trolley Dolly
Available from dbest products.
‘Scuzi, Tara here again…Katey’s suggestions reminded me about these sturdy and portable book display stands. Bookstand.net displays are invaluable at book festivals and events. Your book gets displayed face-out and tilted slightly upward for passers-by to notice, plus there’s space on the front of the wood base to put a little sign. You can stack a few books on the stand so if one person picks up a book to read, there’s still another book on display. The dowels are removable so everything can be packed away flat and neat. These wood stands are far better than flimsy plastic photo holders (that keep falling over). My local indie uses them throughout their store, too. They come in various sizes and configurations for books big and small.
The Bookstand
Available from TheBookstand.net.
Next up, Laurie Wallmark, who will release HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE in February
A woman of few words (well, she is a picture book author), Laurie simply told me her husband received a several-month iPenBox subscription and loved it.
Good enough for me.
From the website: iPenBox is a curated subscription box for the pen, paper and ink enthusiast, delivering a monthly box of products to your door. Each month this mystery box will be filled with new, innovative, and sometimes unusual items from the pen, paper and ink world. We hand pick 4-10 items around a fun monthly theme! This way you’ll be able to discover and sample new items that you might not have heard of or tried before.
iPenBox Monthly Subscription Box
If you have any vegetarian writing friends, please shield their eyes. (Look away, Josh Funk, LOOK AWAY!) Paul Czajak, author of MONSTER NEEDS A CHRISTMAS TREE, is a real weisenheimer. And a hungry one, too. He sent me this gift suggestion with a short testimonial: “Because cooking with duck fat makes everything taste better. And yes, I mean everything.”
OK, so maybe your writer friend is looking a little under-nourished. Paul’s got your solution.
Antibiotic-Free Duck Fat
Available from Good Vittles LLC.
Then Jarrett Lerner, author of ENGINERDS, chimed in and said he would like ANYTHING from Montague Workshop. From duck fat to the whole kit and caboodle. Only here, folks.
“Brad and Kristi Montague are the brilliant individuals behind Kid President, and since then, they haven’t stopped creating more brilliant things. Whether it’s T-shirts, prints, cards, pins, stickers, or stationery, everything they make is warm, joyful, and inspirational. Their stuff is like the material equivalent of a good hug and an encouraging pat on the back. It makes me happy, and I just love it so much.”
I love it too, Jarrett. So I picked out this little goody…
Don’t Hide Your Magic Enamel Pin
Available from Montague Workshop.
We all need to be reminded of that, don’t ya think?
What would be a great gift for a writer? (OK, I mean, what do YOU want for the holidays?) Please share your selection below in the comments!
And HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Welcome to picture book cover reveal headquarters! TA-DA!
Today I’m welcoming writer Laura Gehl and illustrator Joshua Heinsz, the team behind EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T, a light-hearted look at gender stereotypes. Coming in May 2019, the book celebrates the idea that children should feel free to be exactly who they are.
I asked Laura and Joshua to interview each other, so without further achoo…
Joshua: Laura, when did you first get the idea to write EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T, and what inspired you?
I always pictured myself as the kind of parent who would support and encourage my kids in all directions, no matter what. The kind of parent who wouldn’t push my kids to conform to gender norms. But that turned out to be harder than I thought (just like every single other aspect of parenting). Yes, I’ve done countless art projects with my sons, and played football with my daughter. And yet…I also discouraged my oldest son from buying the pink boots he liked, thinking other kids might tease him. And I gave away most of our toy vehicles when my three sons outgrew them, assuming my daughter wouldn’t have an interest (wrong—it turned out she loved playing with cars and trucks). So I was re-examining my own assumptions. And I was thinking about all the kids out there who might feel like they didn’t fit in the roles they were assigned by society—or even by well-meaning parents.
Joshua: Were there any particular challenges you faced as your worked on the manuscript?
Writing in rhyme is always challenging. After Charlie, our editor at Little Bee, acquired EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T, he wanted me to write a new section transitioning between the first part of the book (which highlights gender stereotypes) and the end of the book (which encourages kids to be exactly who they are). I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to write a brand new section in rhyme that worked as a smooth transition. But I was really happy with how that section turned out, and so was Charlie! Phew!
Joshua: What was your favorite part of the writing process for this one?
I like to share my work with my own kids, and I read this book out loud to my daughter. As you know, the first few lines all put children in gender stereotypical roles. So I read those first verses…
Boys play monster trucks with glee.
Girls bake cakes and serve hot tea.
Girls like pompoms, pink, and jewels.
Boys like fighting pirate duels.
And my daughter looked at me, wrinkled up her nose, and demanded, “SAYS WHO?!”
“That’s the whole point,” I told her. “Just wait a few more lines.”
In the end, she loved the book and its message. I hope every kid who reads it feels the same way.
Laura: Joshua, what were your thoughts when Charlie first approached you about illustrating this book?
I was so thrilled! The topic of gender stereotyping is one I’ve been passionate about for a very long time, and is one I had been specifically looking to address in my published work. I was the boy growing up playing with tea sets and dolls, and it’s really great to illustrate a book that would have been so exciting for me to have as a kid myself.
Laura: What was your first step in terms of thinking about how you wanted to do the art?
The biggest thing for me was to showcase as much diversity as possible and to make all of the characters in the book feel relatable to anyone. I knew I wanted the art to be particularly colorful as well so that whatever colors kids may not usually associate with would still feel very inviting and inspiring. Lastly I really love playing with shape language, so I knew I wanted to play around with simplifying the design in some ways I hadn’t tried before.
Laura: What was your process for designing the cover? Did you sketch out a bunch of different possibilities before hitting on a winner?
Truthfully, the cover was the toughest nut to crack for me on this project. I went through several rounds of sketches to find the best way to showcase the message of the book without crafting any sort of narrative or scene. There was a lot of playing around with which characters to include on the cover, and for a while I really had it in my head that I wanted a plane on the cover, although I couldn’t really say why–haha. I’m really happy with where we landed in the end, though.
Thank you, Laura and Joshua!
You can enter to win an F&G (folded and gathered advance copy) of EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T by making a comment below. One comment per person, please.
A winner will be randomly selected before the end of December.
Good luck!
Laura Gehl is the author of picture books including One Big Pair of Underwear, the Peep and Egg series, I Got a Chicken for My Birthday, and My Pillow Keeps Moving. In addition to Except When They Don’t, spring 2019 releases include Baby Oceanographer and Baby Astronaut, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman; and Dibs!, illustrated by Marcin Piwowarski. Laura lives in Maryland with her family and a large stash of dark chocolate. Visit her online at lauragehl.com and follow her on Twitter @AuthorLauraGehl.
Joshua Heinsz is the illustrator of A Paintbrush for Paco. He has a love for bright and whimsical imagery with a flair for the fantastical and an air of nostalgia. When not drawing or painting, Joshua can be found working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. He currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. See more of his work at joshuaheinsz.com and follow him on Twitter @JCHeinsz.
An agent I follow online posted about a squirrelly situation last month.
Umm, not that situation.
A querying writer had told other agents that she had offered representation–BUT SHE HAD NOT.
Why did the writer do that? Supposedly to elicit offers from the agents, or perhaps just to hurry them along.
Way!
But the publishing world is a very small place, so the agent found out…and without naming names, warned fellow agents about the situation.
That writer put the kibosh on their career.
Now, I understand why the writer resorted to such a tactic. Writing is like being that squirrel—you are so close to the prize, but you feel like you are being whipped around. You want that golden nut but you can barely hold on. Impatience and frustration set in. Then, perhaps, desperation.
However, nothing will shut you out of the publishing business—really, any business—faster than lying and being unprofessional.
If you have a positive attitude toward writing and your place in it, you will eventually succeed. I once heard Jarrett J. Krosoczka say that if someone hires you to do a $50 job, but you really want a $500 job, do that $50 job like it was paying $500. Deliver beyond expectations. Be kind to everyone. Be grateful. Soon word will spread that you’re awesome…and you’ll attract those bigger gigs. The good guy & girl really do finish first.
And here’s who else finishes first in all the recent giveaways!
(Thanks, Pam.)
PIRATES DON’T GO TO KINDERGARTEN
Kelly Rice Schmitt
YOUR FIRST DAY OF CIRCUS SCHOOL
Linda Mitchell
SUN!
Liz Bedia
POE WON’T GO
Barbara Bockman
FUTURE ASTRONAUT
Katie Engen
VAMPIRINA BALLERINA
Lynne Marie
TAMMI SAUER SIX PACK
Megan Walvoord
Susie Sawyer
Lora Wendling
Diane Roberts
Amber Webb
Heather Stigall
ALL OF US
Jennifer Phillips
Congratulations! Watch out for an email from me.
And watch out for another giveaway tomorrow.
by Lisa Robinson & Eda Kaban
Thank you, Tara, for hosting the cover reveal for PIRATES DON’T GO TO KINDERGARTEN (Two Lions/Amazon), which hits the shelves in August 2019. We’d like to share a few stories about the book.
Pirate Emma is about to start kindergarten. But Emma’s not so sure she’s ready for a new captain and crew. Especially since her beloved Cap’n Chu is right down the hall. So Emma decides to sail back to preschool and stir up a mutiny against kindergarten. Is that what she really wants? Or does she just miss her beloved Cap’n Chu? Batten down the hatches, mateys, because the first day of school is going to be stormy!
Lisa, what was your inspiration for PIRATES DON’T GO TO KINDERGARTEN?
My daughters loved their preschool teachers and had a hard time saying goodbye to them. When I want to process something with my kids, I look for a book to use for discussion. Although there were many books about the first day of school, I couldn’t find any about preschool children who were sad to leave their preschool teachers behind. So I decided to write one.
What did you think when you saw how Eda Kaban brought your story to life?
I was so impressed with her vision for the book. I love how she made Emma such an expressive, lively, assertive character. What also amazed me was how Eda handled the interplay of fantasy and reality. Every time Emma leaves her kindergarten classroom and runs back to the preschool classroom, Eda portrays Emma as swimming through the ocean. This creates a delightful visual refrain.
What was your journey to publication?
It was a long haul. I was writing for almost ten years, which included getting an MFA, before Marilyn Brigham, my Two Lions editor, offered me a contract for PIPPA’S NIGHT PARADE (which comes out soon after PIRATES). I made contact with Marilyn through the Rutgers Council on Children’s Literature Conference, which I highly recommend (so does Tara–she is the co-chair). Soon after that, I signed with my agent Alyssa Eisner Henkin. I couldn’t have done it without the thoughtful feedback from my two critique groups, one online called Crumpled Paper, and my local SCBWI group.
Eda, what was your approach to the cover design?
I was picturing her doing a Tarzan swing while I was illustrating the interiors. She has such a big and strong character that I thought she should be doing something big and dynamic on the cover as well. I originally had her swinging on a rope in a pirate scene rather than kindergarten but our art director and editor had the input to have her in a classroom setting to tie up the concept more strongly. And with that feedback, the cover sketch came together.
What was your process for developing this distinctive and spunky pirate girl?
I fell in love with Emma the moment I read the manuscript. I could visualize her spunky attitude and I started sketching her out right away. I could see myself as a kid in her so it was easy to get into character and animate her in different poses. I created a lot of rough sketches. I edited the ones that didn’t relate to her as closely and cleaned up and colored the rest. Luckily everyone loved the designs when I presented her.
Can you say a little about your journey to becoming an illustrator for children’s books?
I’m originally from Turkey and I moved to the U.S. around 13 years ago to study art and become an illustrator. I spent 4 hard working years at art school. It’s a challenging restless marathon of drawing and painting everyday to build up your skills. Next big challenge was breaking into the industry. There are so many ‘no’s before you get one ‘yes.’ It can be really tough. About a year after art school, I signed with my current agent and only a week after that, I was offered my first book deal. I’ve been illustrating children’s books professionally since then for over 5 years now.
Thank you, Lisa & Eda, for revealing your cover! And now let’s reveal that Lisa is giving away an F&G to one lucky commenter.
Leave a comment below for a chance to enter–one entry per person, please. A winner will be chosen soon!
Good luck!
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 